Rebuilding Together has major impact: "I thank you from the bottom of my heart"
Rebuilding Together has major impact: I thank you from the bottom of my heart
Rebuilding Together has major impact: I thank you from the bottom of my heart
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Hundreds of volunteers are wrapping up a day of home restoration projects throughout Milwaukee County. Rebuilding Together Greater Milwaukee day is the biggest single-day event for a local group looking to make a difference.
"I've been here for 29 years. It doesn't seem like it," said homeowner Juanita Epps.
Looking at the home, it hasn't aged as well as Epps, and Epps says she's 70-years-old.
Epps raised 10 children and 21 foster children in her home, and it's one of seven that's part of Rebuilding Day, an effort by a local group that makes free repairs for low-income homeowners.
"The whole goal is to help seniors, veterans and the disabled stay in their homes," said Lynnea Katz-Petted, from Rebuilding Together.
If Epps had to pay for the repairs herself, organizers say it would cost her nearly $30,000 dollars. All of the materials and man-power at the site are donated by J.H. Findorff & Son.
Mike Stern is one of the volunteers and he's repairing a deteriorated front porch.
"'We're helping to improve her home and things she needs to help carry on her life - to live a long life!" said Stern.
Inside, crews give the kitchen a dramatic make-over.
"My cabinets were so high - I'm short and I couldn't reach them. Now, they brought them down and now I can reach everything," said Epps.
Hundreds like Epps apply for repairs, and throughout the year, Rebuilding Together fixes 300 homes. It's easy to see what motivates these volunteers. It makes it even more rewarding when you hear just how grateful Epps is.
"I didn't know all these good people were coming out. I just want to hug them and say, I love you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart," said Epps.
Since 2000, Rebuilding Together Greater Milwaukee has served more than 1,800 residents and invested what amounts to nine million dollars into area housing.